Vertical Skin Bunching After Tummy Tuck

Question

I'm 3 days post Tummy tuck. Will this vertical bunching up of my skin after Tummy tuck go away? Doctor said it happened because he had to pull muscles together so tight due to severe separation of muscles.

Kevin Brenner, MD, FACS · Answer

If this bunching does not completely flatten out over the next few months (I suspect that it will not), you will probably require revision of your tummy tuck. Your surgeon is correct about the bunching resulting from the underlying muscle tightening. Although that was likely corrected very well, the overlying skin and fat is not laying correctly and will likely need to be re-draped, or possible converted to a "Fleur-de-lis" pattern for your incision, which would result in an long vertical incision.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello TATA3,

Congratulations on completing your tummy tuck procedure, and thank you for reaching out with your question.

It's entirely normal to experience some degree of skin bunching or puckering in the early stages of recovery, especially given the tightness required to repair severe muscle separation. At just 3 days post-surgery, your body is still in the very early stages of healing, and it's essential to allow time for the swelling to subside and the tissues to settle.

In many cases, as your body continues to heal and the swelling diminishes, the skin will naturally flatten out over time. It's crucial to follow your surgeon's post-operative instructions carefully and attend all follow-up appointments to monitor your progress.

However, if the skin bunching persists or becomes a concern as you progress further into your recovery, it's best to discuss this with your plastic surgeon. They can assess your situation and determine whether any additional interventions, such as a revision procedure, may be necessary to achieve the desired results.

Remember, patience is key during the recovery process, and it's essential to give your body the time it needs to heal properly.

Wishing you a smooth and successful recovery journey.

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Please wait at least a few months before evaluating your results as you are still early in your recovery. However, this problem may not resolve itself to the extent you would like and you may require a revision.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

This is very early after surgery, and I believe a significant amount of this redundancy will improve with time through the process of apoptosis. However, there some laxity may persist and may require a vertical incision for correction.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

The skin bunching that you have may be due to not having wide undermining performed at the time of your urgeyr. This may or may not get better with time.

Vertical Skin Bunching After Tummy Tuck

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Answer: Vertical skin redundancy after tummy tuck

Answer: Vertical skin redundancy after tummy tuck

Answer: Skin bunching after tummy tuck

Answer: Skin bunching after tummy tuck

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Vertical Skin Bunching After Tummy Tuck

Answers (8)

Answer: Vertical skin redundancy after tummy tuck

Answer: Vertical skin redundancy after tummy tuck

Answer: Skin bunching after tummy tuck

Answer: Skin bunching after tummy tuck

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.